Devin & Stephen featured on Offbeat Bride

So, Devin just posts on my facebook wall to go check out Offbeat Bride. Devin submitted this wedding photo, and Ariel has it featured on the home page. How cool!

Offbeat Bride is a book by Ariel giving brides a tafetta-free alternative to DIY wedding planning. Check out her site.

The Wedding of Breanne Rohm & Brandon Doyle

I was really excited about photographing Breanne and Brandon's wedding, after the fun day I spent with them in Boston. They got married on Saturday at Little Rock First Baptist Church in Pleasant Valley. This wedding was so unbelievably fun for me. I just loved meeting all the family and friends. I can just tell that Breanne and Brandon are so much in love, and I love they way they look at each other. Breanne's Greek heritage was worked into the reception. Truly this wedding day was a celebration of love. Here are just a few of my favorite images from the day.




With Memorial Day weekend, the church grounds were decorated with these big beautiful American flags, which made a perfect backdrop.


Just a gorgeous bride.


The "first meeting" is one of my favorite times of wedding days. They were both just so excited. It was very sweet.








The girls wanted to do some silly, fun poses. I think we did every cliche bride's maid pose every thought of. But it was a lot of fun.






Get your sexy on...

And, this may be my all-time favorite groomsmen portrait ever. Killer attitudes guys!






I thought it was sweet that the girls learned a few Greek dance steps to honor Breanne and Brandon as they arrived at the reception.


How funny is that?!?





And it was official at this point...I cried. As opposed to just getting a little teary-eyed a couple of other times during the day. How sweet is that?

And I may never get the name of this Greek wedding dance right...but, Breanne's mom and aunts taught all the reception guests Kaslamantiano. Seemed like everyone really enjoyed this.

Vendors:
Venue: Little Rock First Baptist Church at Pleasant Valley
Wedding Coordinator: Susan Reynolds
Bridal Gown: PeriDress.com
Bridesmaid Dresses: Forever Yours
Tuxedo: Men's Warehouse
Wedding and Groom's Cake: Blue Cake Company
Pig for Reception: Hogg's Meat Market
Food for Reception: Little Rock 1st Baptist Church at Pleasant Valley

Breanne and Brandon, thank you so much for letting me get to know you both and spending your wedding day capturing your memories. I thoroughly enjoyed my day with you. You guys are absolutely precious and I hope you have a long lifetime of love together. - Cheryl

Arkansas has it going on

I am still so excited about the American Idol finale. That's been another of our Wednesday night routines at my house for the past few years. We were so excited to have someone as talented as Kris Allen to root for all season. We were ecstatic when Ryan Seacrest announced Kris as the American Idol. I am so proud of Kris, and think he represented Arkansas very well!

I hear people occassionally wanting to trash on Arkansas a little. I will admit, it irritates me just a little. Ok, maybe more than a little. Clearly, they have not been paying attention... Check out some of the talented, successful products of Arkansas (an excerpt really from the long list).

A president (Bill Clinton, in case you weren't paying attention)
A runner-up on Project Runway (Korto Momulu)
A Top Model (Danielle Evans)
A national college basketball championship team a few years back (Razorback '94)
An academy award winning actress (Mary Steenbergen)
A star of country music (Tracy Lawrence)
A star, no matter how eccentric (Billy Bob Thornton)
An accomplished poet and author (Maya Angelou)
Editor-in-chief extrodinaire (Helen Gurley Brown)
A best seller author (John Grisham)
Globetrotters (Geese Ausbie and Goose Tatum)
A college football coach icon (Bear Bryant)
A PGA star (John Daly)
A hall of fame baseball player (George Kell)
NBA standouts (Sidney Moncrief, Scottie Pippen)...just to name a few
A NASCAR superstar (Mark Martin)
A desegregation activist (Daisey Bates)
A founder of retail business as we know it today (Sam Walton)

And, now an American Idol. Pay attention America - clearly, Arkansas rocks! - Cheryl

Devin & Stephen's Wedding

I drove down to Monroe last weekend to photograph Devin and Stephen's wedding at Austin's by the River. Oh my gosh what a wonderful location, 1800's building with all this great woodwork and stained glass. Just beautiful. Devin and Stephen are a couple with style, they just have a presence. I just loved being around them. They planned the wedding after the things they love, and what makes them unique, which I always think is cool. The wedding was to be a fun party for family and friends, and I think I can say mission accomplished. And, man can this family cook - excellent Italian feast at the reception! There may be a few more images in this post, because I really, really had a hard time narrowing down my favorites.

Justin and his infamous Freeze It. Four words...rock star hair stylist.












My absolute favorite image of Devin.

Devin's beautiful daughter, Makayla

Brody - don't you just want to kiss those cheeks? He and I bonded, I tried to pack him in my suitcase to bring him home with me.



The guys say this should be a CD cover for a Christian rock band. LOL




Props to Jonathan Baldwin, who played some very cool music all night. You rock, man.

So, the wedding party comes down the spiral staircase, then everyone kind of looks around like, 'where's the preacher?' Then Will steps out and marries them. He got ordained just for the occasion.

The wedding paparazzi. LOL


Devin found this book, Offbeat Bride, when she was searching for DIY tips. The book written by Ariel is proclaimed as the brides taffeta-free alternative.

The wedding cake was a margarita cheesecake, with a unique cake topper fitting to the couple.

It all started so innocently and politely...


Cheesecake...not so easy to get out of your hair!

What's a party without Rockband?

The Navy buddies show off their matching tattoos

"I've fallen and can't get up." Poor Devin, was so tired at the end of the night.

Probably my favorite of the couple.

Devin and Stephen, thank you so much for hiring me. I have really enjoyed getting to know you both. Your wedding was so much fun for me. Ariel would be proud, you were definitely tafetta-free. LOL Hope you had a blast with Mickey. You gallery will post here. - Love and peace, Cheryl